Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World Book 2)

The current volume, "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East" brings together chapters on selected, unique medicinal plants of this region, known to man since biblical times. Written by leading researchers and scientists, this volume covers both domesticated crops and wild plants with great potential for cultivation. Some of these plants are well-known medicinally, such as opium poppy and khat, while others such as apharsemon and citron have both ritual and medicinal uses. All have specific and valuable uses in modern society. As such, it is an important contribution to the growing field of medicinal and aromatic plants. This volume is intended to bring the latest research to the attention of the broad range of botanists, ethnopharmacists, biochemists, plant and animal physiologists and others who will benefit from the information gathered therein. Plants know no political boundaries, and bringing specific folklore to general medical awareness can only be for the benefit of all. Plants have been known and cultivated for their therapeutic properties in the Middle-East throughout recorded history and most likely - beyond that. With the progress of science, they continue to be cultivated and collected for both traditional and innovative purposes. This volume: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East" offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on medicinal plants and their increasing importance as cultivated crops, or as plants with significant potential to become crops in this important region. In 17 chapters of meticulous research, this unique volume explores history, taxonomy, ecology and biodiversity, cultivation and breeding, agronomy and medicinal properties. Written by leading scientists, this volume includes: The history of medicinal plants used by our ancestors during the early periods of civilization, especially in the Near-East; The use of plants for producing health products (pomegranate, pine), pharmaceutical drugs (khat for natural amphetamines, opium poppy, Myrtle); nutrition and food products: (Eruca sativa, citron,) herbs and spices (oregano, sages,) cosmeceutical products and perfumes (rose oil, apharsemon, myrrh and olibanum), liqueurs (Myrtus communis) and many more; Traditional plants used by Bedouin tribes in the Middle-East; The use of edible wild plants in tradition and as future health foods The use of Pistacia in veterinary as well as in human medicine;The presentation of a native plant from Jordan: Juniperus, with its traditional and promising modern studies; Some important traditional medicinal plants with great potential (Capparis spinosa, sacropoterium spinosum) From poppy and rose-oil to khat and citron this volume highlights issues relevant to the collection, conservation, cultivation, production and utilization of a selection of unique medicinal and aromatic plants, with demonstrated promise for the benefit of society-especially in the 21st century Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction: Medicinal Plants in Ancient Traditions....Pages 1-7 Wild Edible Plants in Israel Tradition Versus Cultivation....Pages 9-26 Ethnobotany Among Bedouin Tribes in the Middle East....Pages 27-36 Endemic Aromatic Medicinal Plants in the Holy Land Vicinity....Pages 37-58 Capparis spinosa – The Plant on the Wall....Pages 59-65 Apharsemon, Myrrh and Olibanum: Ancient Medical Plants....Pages 67-150 Sarcopoterium spinosum ....Pages 151-161 Traditional Uses of Pistacia lentiscus in Veterinary and Human Medicine....Pages 163-180 Farming Amphetamines: Khat ( Catha edulis Forsk.) a Traditional Plant with Mild Stimulating Psychoactive and Medicinal Properties....Pages 181-197 Citron Cultivation, Production and Uses in the Mediterranean Region....Pages 199-214 Therapeutic Use of Aleppo Pine ( Pinus halepensis Mill.)....Pages 215-224 Pomegranate: Aspects Concerning Dynamics of Health Beneficial Phytochemicals and Therapeutic Properties with Respect to the Tree Cultivar and the Environment....Pages 225-239 Juniperus phoenicea from Jordan....Pages 241-252 Myrtle ( Myrtus communis L.) – A Native Mediterranean and Cultured Crop Species....Pages 253-267 Eruca sativa , a Tasty Salad Herb with Health-Promoting Properties....Pages 269-279 Oil Rose ( Rosa damascena )....Pages 281-304 Opium Poppy ( Papaver somniferum )....Pages 305-332 Back Matter....Pages 333-337